What is the Best Time of Day to Water Plants in Northern California?

Enjoy your northern California garden.

Northern California is a fertile, versatile region, where gardeners can grow beautiful flowers such as irises and honeysuckle as well as fruit trees such as apples and pears. Knowing the best time of day to water your plants is a key to maintaining a healthy and successful garden.

Time Frame

Water your garden in the morning, to allow the sun to dry and evaporate moisture that could lead to fungal infections and other diseases if left wet during the chill of the evening.

Function

If your soil is wet in the evening, it will bring out creatures such as snails and slugs that thrive on cool temperatures and moisture. These animals eat plants and can be destructive to a garden.

Methods

Choosing the right watering system depends on what plants are growing in your garden. For example, use underground sprinklers with pop-up risers or drip-emitters for flowerbeds. Watering from overhead can cause drooping and induce disease. For established trees, soaker hoses work well but create a soil basin to prevent run-off.

References

• "Sunset Magazine": Water Wise Gardening
• Washington State University: Watering Home Gardens and Landscape Plants